Dear Diary
It's been a while since I wrote to you. My life has just been a roller-coaster after I made the life changing decision to move in with Emily. Not that we have moved in... It's a long story. But here I am. On a plane. With Tyler. On our way back to his hometown. How did that happen? It's a long story as well. All you need to know is, is that your girl got this.
~Ally
The seat belt sign flashes, indicating that we're almost going to land. The flight went by faster than what I was expecting so of course I was stating to freak out a little.
I think Tyler noticed my panicked figure because the next thing I knew his hand was placed on top of mine. When I looked at him he just winked at me and reached over to tighten my seat belt around my waist.
" Don't want you to slip out, now do we?" he mocks before placing his hand back on top of my shaking one.
A silly smile reaches my mouth. Looking over at Tyler in his calm aroma I can't help but notice how strong he is. Physically yes but more emotionally. If I didn't know any better I would have never guessed what is going on in this man's life. He doesn't show it yet I know it is tearing him up from the inside. He's trying to stay strong for everyone. He doesn't have to put a face in front of me. I know he's struggling.
" Babe?" Tyler asks, snapping me out of my daze.
" Yeah?" I question him and frown at the weird look he's giving me. The look quickly disappears as his dimples flex on his face as a little smile forms on his lips.
" You're staring. Kind of creepy." he states.
I roll my eyes. Of course he would say something like that.
" What? I can't stare at what's mine -" I immediately stop talking as soon as the words leave my mouth.
Did I? Did I just claim him as mine? As in put a title on him? I don't even know what's going on between us. We weren't together before our 'split' and now that we've made up I still don't know what we are.
" What are we?" the words once again leave my mouth before I can stop them.
I watch as Tyler's eyebrows furrow in confusion.
" I-I mean like a-are we together because before the s-split we weren't t-together and now-"
" What do you mean we weren't together? " Tyler asks completely confused.
He's confused? I'm confused. We're all confused!
" Like we never made it official that we were together?" I say more like a question than a statement.
" We had to make it official? " Tyler asks even more confused than the previous time.
Is he kidding right now?
Please tell me this is a joke.
"Yes Tyler, that's what people who want to be in a relationship do." I deadpan.
All of the sudden Tyler bursts out into a fit of laughter. He has to cling onto his stomach from laughing too hard. A few people turn to look at the commotion before shaking their heads.
" I don't know what's so funny. "I say getting a little pissed off.
I'm trying to be serious here.
" I - I thought we were in a relationship. I didn't think it was necessary to ask because we were already acting like a couple. " he says trying his best not to laugh.
He didn't think it was necessary to ask me out? I know I'm not a girly girl but I still want to be asked to be someone's girlfriend for Pete's sake. I spent weeks trying to figure out why he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend while he didn't give it a single thought because he thought we were in a relationship. Men.
" Wait, you really wanted me to ask you to be my girlfriend?" he asks more serious this time.
I roll my eyes before nodding my head as an answer.
" I'm sorry babe-"
" No. It's fine. It would have been nice to have known that I was in a relationship but whatever. "I say shrugging it off.
" Was in a relationship? " he asks confused again.
There is too much confusion in this small space. It's starting to suffocate me.
" After what happened I thought-"I don't get to finish my sentance when Tyler all of the sudden stands up.
What the hell is he doing?
I'm about to tell him to sit down when I see a flight attendant heading our way. Tyler doesn't seem fazed as he looks around the plane while drawing more attention as the flight attendant makes her way over to him.
" Sir, please take your seat. The plane is about to start landing." the flight attendant asks Tyler again.
" Just a second." he says holding up his finger.
" Sir-"
" Can I have everyone's attention please." Tyler orders out over the plane.
What the hell is he doing?
" Tyler - "
" Sir-"
The flight attendant and I fail at getting Tyler's attention as he clears his throat.
" I've been a di-" Tyler stops his sentance as his eyes land on a small boy a few rows away for us " - bad guy." he corrects himself making me chuckle. " I've been blessed with the most beautiful, fiercest, considerable, funniest girl this planet has ever seen. So blessed that I could hardly believe that this girl has any interest on spending her time with me. She made me work for it don't get me wrong -" I hear a few people laugh at his comment " - but she made every second worth it. I was so busy enjoying my time with her over these last few months that something very important, apparently to her, slipped my mind. I was convinced that we were in a relationship but she wasn't because I never asker her to be my girlfriend - " more people laugh, this time I can't help but blush at the sudden attention that is on me " - Ally, I'm so sorry that I didn't make things clearer earlier. You deserve to be treated like royalty and get the best proposal, yet here I am, on a plane, about to get in big trouble if I don't sit down -" he takes a quick moment to look at the flight attendant who's hair is about to fall out from frustration " - standing in front of the girl I love and asking her to finally officially be mine . So Allison Bridge, will you be my girlfriend? "
He finally asked the question that I was searching for a really long time. On a plane, about to land, he decides to ask me to be his girlfriend. Not what I had in mind but who cares? He finally asked me.
Tyler furrows his eyebrows in confusion.
Oh right. I should probably give him an answer.
" Yes you idiot." I laugh.
A few people start clapping their hands as Tyler bends down to place a soft kiss against my lips. Before the flight attendant can pass out, Tyler quickly sits down and buckles up.
" That was probably the most savage thing I have done. " Tyler announces all too proud of himself.
" I wouldn't use savage as the word." I laugh.
He rolls his eyes before leaning in to kiss me again.
This is it.
We're finally in a real relationship.
No more complications.
I'm his girlfriend and he's my boyfriend.
You're freaking out like a teenager -
And you're pissing me off like a mother fu-
I'm just going to ignore my conscience from now on. And I mean it this time.
You can't get rid of me you know.
Nope. Don't hear anything.
Shortly after the whole proposal scene the plane made a smooth landing. I'm just grateful that I can now face Tyler's family with reassurance that we are in a relationship and that nothing is too complicated. There will always be something that is complicated but at least for now I know with certainty that we are together.
" Hayley is picking us up." Tyler announces just as we gathered all our baggage.
" She got her keys back?" I joke.
Poor Hayley. I wonder how she's coping with all of this. Hopefully Clark stepped up for her in this time of need.
As we exit the little airport Tyler points over to a black Mercedes Benz SUV. The driver's seat door opens as we approach and out climbs Hayley. I'm blown away by her presence. No makeup, messy bun and sweats. She has dark bags under her eyes due to lack of sleep and definitely a lot of crying but what shocks me the most is that she isn't jumping up and down in excitement from seeing her brother nor me. She's emotionless.
This is what cancer or any life threatening illness does to a family. It completely changes them. Some can go back to how they were while others are still struggling. I guess I just wasn't prepared to see Hayley so drained.
Before she can even mutter a word I pull her into a tight hug. She's surprised by the gesture but doesn't pull away. Instead her arms wrap around my body as tight as they can. I feel her shoulders slouch as she gets comfortable in my hug.
" You're such a strong and fearless girl. You've got this babe." I whisper into her ear before pulling away.
I see her shoulders shake from light laughter as she wipes away a tear.
" Thanks Ally. For everything." she says giving me a light forced smile.
I wink at her before she is pulled into a hug by her older brother. They share a few words that I can't make out before stepping back. Hayley makes her way to the driver's seat as Tyler opens the passenger door for me. Once I'm in and buckled up he closes the door and gets into the back seat.
" How are things at home?"Tyler asks his sister.
I watch as Hayley's grip around the steering wheel tightens as her knuckles turn white before she releases her hold.
" Not good Ty. Mom hasn't left dad's side since you left. I don't think she's eaten from the plates of untouched food I see coming in and out of their room." she truthfully admits.
I remeber those days where I couldn't even look at food for days on end. Losing a loved one takes your ability to function right away. Rachelle hasn't lost her husband but she is going to. That's even worse in my opinion.
Tyler doesn't respond to Hayley's confession and soon enough we arrive at the Anderson mansion. The usually joyful atmosphere that was surrounding the house is gone and replaced by sadness. I could feel it the second we passed through the gates.
A few helpers come to take our bags to our rooms as Hayley leads the way into the house.
She walks us up the stairs all the way over to what I assume is the master bedroom.
She lightly knocks on the door and waits for a reply before stepping in and Tyler short on her tail. I on the other hand take a step back. I don't want to invade their privacy. They probably want to spend time alone as a family and I really don't want to be the one to bother them.
" Ally?" Tyler asks softly.
I shake my head hoping he would understand that I don't want to intrude their family time.
" I don't want to bother -"
" I invited you along for a reason, didn't I?" he asks cutting me off from my sentence.
" I know but this still feels wrong." I say in all honesty.
Tyler shakes his head.
" I need you." he whispers.
His words claw at my chest, making me take a step forward. Tyler quickly wraps his hand around mine before stepping back and allowing me to pass through.
The room I step into is beyond beautiful. It's big, probably bigger than my kitchen and living room back home. Even though it's a big room there is just enough furniture to make it cozy and ready to spend time in. My eyes land on the king sized bed pushed up against the wall. George is positioned on the left side of the bed with a few pillows behind him to keep him from being uncomfortable. For someone who doesn't have a lot of days left to live he looks as healthy as ever, well besides from the bags under his eyes and the numerous medical supplies next to him.
My eyes land on Rachelle who is sitting in an armchair right next to the bed. She looks terrible. Worse than Hayley. I don't think I've ever seen her dressed this casual. It breaks my heart that I can't take away her pain. She's so sweet and filled with love and joy that it scares me to see her this way.
" Allison, so nice to see you!" George exclaims. He coughs shortly after and I have to keep my tears at bay.
I said that I would be the strong one.
But his kindness is absolutely killing me from inside.
" It's nice to be back. I wish it could be on better terms. " I say all of the sudden feeling guilty for being the only none-Anderson in the room.
" I'm glad you came Ally." Rachelle speaks up, giving me a light smile.
" Thank you for having me Rachelle." I say not really sure of what I'm supposed to say.
It's a difficult situation. I've visited long enough to know that this house is build on everything that is good and welcoming and seeing everyone so down makes it hard for me to know where my place is.
" So, what have you two love birds been up to?" George asks curiously.
Oh George. Even on his death bed he still has an interest in his son's dating life.
He's definitely a work of art.
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